Minnesota lawmakers face a critical test this session as hot-button issues like immigration enforcement, fraud, and gun control dominate headlines. However, a coalition of Greater Minnesota cities is urging them to keep their focus on "the basics" – essential services that underpin local governments.
Over 110 cities outside the Twin Cities are banding together to push for Local Government Aid, investments in water and wastewater infrastructure, including lead service line removal and replacement, and no one-size-fits-all housing mandates. These fundamental issues, often overlooked in favor of bigger debates, hold crucial sway over the daily lives of city residents.
CGMC President Keri Johnson emphasized that while national attention is currently fixated on contentious elections, highly publicized shootings, and other high-profile events, lawmakers must prioritize local concerns to ensure cities thrive. "The upcoming legislative session is sure to be a busy one," she noted, "but we're asking our legislators to focus on what they can do to help cities grow."
Despite the Legislature not being in a budget year, supplemental budgets are available to lawmakers. Last year's cuts resulted in billions of dollars shaved from the state budget, leaving a projected $3 billion deficit for 2028 – half the originally forecasted amount.
CGMC's asks often involve funding typically allocated to bonding bills, which Gov. Tim Walz released last January with a proposed $907 million package, including some of the coalition's key requests. However, many of these issues are being overshadowed by major national debates.
The contentious "one-size-fits-all" housing mandates remain a pressing concern, as previous attempts at reform were met with local resistance. Meanwhile, immigration enforcement, Medicaid fraud, and gun control are dominating headlines, driven by recent events like the assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and the Annuciation Catholic School shooting.
CGMC Executive Director Bradley Peterson acknowledged that these big issues will indeed capture lawmakers' attention, but urged them to think beyond them. "We're not asking for special treatment; we're just asking our legislators to consider the issues that matter most to communities in Greater Minnesota."
While state lawmakers can address Medicaid fraud through existing laws, the issue of federal immigration enforcement is more complex. Lawmakers are exploring measures like banning masking or using unmarked vans for federal agents, but concerns remain about whether these laws would be enforced.
Gun control advocates and Democrats have expressed resolve to push for new legislation this session, but an impasse in fall negotiations with Gov. Tim Walz and state leaders has raised doubts about the prospects of meaningful action.
As the legislative session begins on February 17, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will balance competing priorities and address the needs of Greater Minnesota cities.
Over 110 cities outside the Twin Cities are banding together to push for Local Government Aid, investments in water and wastewater infrastructure, including lead service line removal and replacement, and no one-size-fits-all housing mandates. These fundamental issues, often overlooked in favor of bigger debates, hold crucial sway over the daily lives of city residents.
CGMC President Keri Johnson emphasized that while national attention is currently fixated on contentious elections, highly publicized shootings, and other high-profile events, lawmakers must prioritize local concerns to ensure cities thrive. "The upcoming legislative session is sure to be a busy one," she noted, "but we're asking our legislators to focus on what they can do to help cities grow."
Despite the Legislature not being in a budget year, supplemental budgets are available to lawmakers. Last year's cuts resulted in billions of dollars shaved from the state budget, leaving a projected $3 billion deficit for 2028 – half the originally forecasted amount.
CGMC's asks often involve funding typically allocated to bonding bills, which Gov. Tim Walz released last January with a proposed $907 million package, including some of the coalition's key requests. However, many of these issues are being overshadowed by major national debates.
The contentious "one-size-fits-all" housing mandates remain a pressing concern, as previous attempts at reform were met with local resistance. Meanwhile, immigration enforcement, Medicaid fraud, and gun control are dominating headlines, driven by recent events like the assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and the Annuciation Catholic School shooting.
CGMC Executive Director Bradley Peterson acknowledged that these big issues will indeed capture lawmakers' attention, but urged them to think beyond them. "We're not asking for special treatment; we're just asking our legislators to consider the issues that matter most to communities in Greater Minnesota."
While state lawmakers can address Medicaid fraud through existing laws, the issue of federal immigration enforcement is more complex. Lawmakers are exploring measures like banning masking or using unmarked vans for federal agents, but concerns remain about whether these laws would be enforced.
Gun control advocates and Democrats have expressed resolve to push for new legislation this session, but an impasse in fall negotiations with Gov. Tim Walz and state leaders has raised doubts about the prospects of meaningful action.
As the legislative session begins on February 17, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will balance competing priorities and address the needs of Greater Minnesota cities.
. I mean, I get it, these big issues like immigration and gun control are super important, but can't we just take care of our own communities first? Like, have you ever had to deal with lead pipes in your hometown? It's a real thing, trust me 
. And what about all the cities out there that are struggling to make ends meet because they're not getting enough funding from the state? Its like, lawmakers can't just ignore us and focus on bigger stuff 
. I'm hoping that the coalition of cities in Greater Minnesota gets their voices heard this session, we need some love 
.
And while immigration enforcement and gun control are super important, can't we just focus on making sure our communities have the resources they need to thrive? 
I'm all about progress, but some of these issues feel like they're being pushed aside for the sake of big debates. Let's keep it real, MN - the basics matter! 
I totally get where the coalition is coming from! As a Minnesotan myself 
, I know how important those "basics" are - like getting our water and wastewater systems in order 
! It's easy to get caught up in all the big debates, but what about the little things that affect our daily lives? 
Let's not forget about those essential services that make our communities thrive! 
. And on top of that, affordable housing is a huge concern. We can't just expect people to be all like "oh well" when they're struggling to make ends meet 
. I hope CGMC's coalition is able to get some traction and push for the funding they need 
. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks! 
. And don't even get me started on lead service lines... how are we still dealing with those? It's like, basic science, folks! 
.
. $3 billion deficit? That's like, basic math, people! You'd think lawmakers could manage to prioritize local needs without breaking the bank 
.
It's not like those billions aren't coming back to bite us later. And lead service line removal and replacement? That's a basic thing that needs doing! Can't they prioritize the little things for once? 
. They just want basic stuff like fixing their water and sewage systems, it's not rocket science. Why can't lawmakers focus on what really matters to everyday people instead of all this gun control and immigration drama? I mean, I get it, these are important issues too, but shouldn't we be addressing the everyday concerns that affect our daily lives?
. Can't they just make some smart decisions about how to spend the money instead of letting it all fall apart? I just wish lawmakers would take a step back and think about what's best for their constituents, not just follow the crowd 
. Maybe lawmakers should take a deep breath and focus on what they can control instead of getting too caught up in national debates 
.
I feel you, folks... it's like our local leaders are getting lost in all the noise and drama 
, forgetting that these everyday issues affect us all in a big way 
.
It's not like they're asking for a million-dollar mansion or something. But seriously, these cities are trying to get lawmakers to prioritize their needs because let's face it, those issues affect people's daily lives more than some national debate about guns or immigration.
. We need lawmakers to prioritize local concerns over the national headlines and focus on funding essential services like water infrastructure, public transportation, and community development 
.
. It's time for our lawmakers to think beyond the big issues and consider what matters most to our communities 
It's not like the rest of these issues aren't going to magically fix themselves while we're waiting for some grand solution to come along.
They're gonna need more than just their regular aid, lead service lines are literally exploding in some areas 
. We need both the big stuff and the basics covered